Former YES member and keyboard legend Rick Wakeman will release album on April 3 under the moniker of Rick Wakeman & THE ENGLISH ROCK ENSEMBLE as per an announcement in his own website. The album features eight newly composed pieces, specially for this project, and harks back to Wakeman‘s critically acclaimed debut album “The Six Wives Of Henry VIII”, where there were six heavy keyboard pieces based around a central subject matter. It is a serious return to “Wakeman prog.”
Rick has blown the dust off his favorite analog keyboards and has used the same formula he devised when making his legendary albums “The Six Wives Of Henry VIII” and “Criminal Record”.
Upon being asked about the expectations of his Prog Fans, that they are hoping he will have shoved the “Prog Fader” up to 11, Wakeman replied replied, “That could be a problem…. as it’s already at 14!!!”
Professional musician, keyboard player, songwriter, and more, Wakeman‘s career started as a much-in-demand session player, who performed on recordings by David Bowie, Elton John, Lou Reed, Al Stewart and hundreds more artists. His big break came in 1971 when he joined YES, who went on to become the most successful prog rock band in the world, but Wakeman has also always gone his own way outside the framework of that group.
In the seventies, he achieved chart-topping success with solo albums such as “Journey To The Centre Of The Earth”, “The Six Wives Of Henry VIII” and “The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table”, which cumulatively sold over 10 million copies in North America alone.
The first 1,000 units of “The Red Planet” on vinyl will come in 180-gram red double LP, signed and numbered, in a special “pop-up” album cover. The first 2,000 units of the CD edition are signed and numbered, in a special “pop-up” CD album cover. These collector’s items are sure to sell out quickly. Fans are advised to pre-order to avoid disappointment. The album can be pre-ordered at this location.
THE ENGLISH ROCK ENSEMBLE (ERE) features:
- Rick Wakeman / Keyboards
- Dave Colquhoun / Guitars
- Lee Pomeroy / Bass
- Ash Soan / Drums
“The Red Planet” Album Artwork
